Automated warehouse

Abstract

An automated warehouse includes an apparatus main body a transfer device. The apparatus main body includes a plurality of stationary shelves arranged horizontally and vertically, and having upper surfaces on which cassettes can be placed. The transfer device transfers the cassette by holding a flange of the cassette. The transfer device includes a vertical rail and a transfer head. The vertical rail includes an upper end adjacent to a supporting surface of a top stationary shelf. The transfer head is a member vertically movable along the vertical rail. The transfer head includes a vertical arm having a length such that the vertical arm can hold the flange of the cassette placed on the top stationary shelf.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An automated warehouse comprising:
 shelves including a plurality of placement portions arranged horizontally and vertically, the placement portions including upper surfaces on which an article can be placed; and 
 a transfer device arranged to hold an upper portion of the article and transfer the article; wherein 
 the transfer device includes:
 a vertical rail including an upper end positioned adjacent to a supporting surface of a top placement portion; and 
 a hand member vertically movable along the vertical rail and including a vertical arm having a length such that the vertical arm can hold the upper portion of the article placed on the top placement portion; 
 
 the upper end of the vertical rail is positioned no higher than the supporting surface of the top placement portion; 
 the vertical arm has a length which is longer than a vertical distance between a pair of the placement portions arranged vertically; and 
 the automated warehouse further comprises:
 a frame to which the shelves are secured, the frame including four columns provided at four corners of the shelves; 
 a first cover provided at the shelves; and 
 a second cover removably disposed on the shelves; 
 
 the columns each include a lower portion and a removable upper portion; 
 the second cover corresponds to the upper portion of each of the columns; 
 when the second cover is removed from the automated warehouse, the upper portion of each of the columns is able to be removed; 
 the second cover is arranged to surround a circumference of the article placed on the top placement portion; and 
 an upper end of the second cover is located at a position no lower than an upper surface of the article placed on the top placement portion. 
 
     
     
       2. The automated warehouse according to  claim 1 , wherein the vertical arm has a length which is shorter than a vertical distance between a pair of the placement portions arranged vertically with another placement portion interposed in between. 
     
     
       3. The automated warehouse according to  claim 2 , wherein the hand member includes an article holding portion disposed on an upper end portion of the vertical arm. 
     
     
       4. The automated warehouse according to  claim 1 , wherein the hand member includes an article holding portion disposed on an upper end portion of the vertical arm. 
     
     
       5. The automated warehouse according to  claim 1 , further comprising a wheel removably disposed at a lower portion of the shelves. 
     
     
       6. The automated warehouse according to  claim 1 , wherein the first cover is arranged to surround a lower part of the shelves, and the second cover is arranged to surround an upper part of the shelves. 
     
     
       7. The automated warehouse according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame further includes connection members that connect the lower portions of the columns with each other. 
     
     
       8. The automated warehouse according to  claim 1 , wherein the shelves are fixed to the connection members.